Updated: Second-round picks McDonald, Carradine now under contract

Tight end Vance McDonald and defensive tackle Tank Carradine, the 49ers’ two second-round draft picks, have signed their four-year contracts, the team announced Thursday.

Still unsigned are safety Eric Reid (first round), outside linebacker Corey Lemonier (third round) and running back Marcus Lattimore (fourth round), the later of whom is unlikely to play this season because of a 2012 knee injury.

Cam Inman

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The 49ers will be an interesting team to watch this year The kicking and coverage units will be better, but what about the return game? The pass rush on defense will be better, but what about the secondary? The run game will be better with James, Hunter and Gore playing together and healthy for the first time, along with an even more dominant line and second year qb more comfortable with the run calls, but what about the passing game? It seems as though for every yin on this team, there’s a yanger.

Everyone’s wondering who’s going to step-up to fill Crabtree’s shoes. People are even suggesting Devery Henderson and Brandon Lloyd. Hogwash. Think of all the receiving options this team has – Vernon, McDonald, Celek, Boldin, Jenkins, Moore, Mario, Kyle, The General, Lockette, Gore, James and Hunter? That’s more than enough to have a prolific passing attack with or without Crabtree. I see Kaepernick running a lot of play action in year three. I see McDonald dropping a lot of balls his first year and Harbaugh up in his grill. Can’t wait.

And just for sharts and giggles, I think Tank will one day replace Justin Smith. Everyone wants a draft choice to replace Justin immediately, but it doesn’t work that way. Justin wasn’t even Justin five years ago. Sure, he was good, but not this good. Justin is one of those guys who should make the HOF, but probably won’t because he did the dirty work in the trenches and didn’t sing his own praises all day long after games. But Tank reminds me of BY. I remember when BY was first drafted and all the other Niner D and O linemen were saying, “That dude is a man already.” That’s the way I view Tank. BY, Justin Smith? Lofty company.

I’ve thoroughly looked at all of our draft choices, and love ’em all – from Moody to Dial and back again. I think this could go down as one of Baalke’s best drafts, and he’s had some good ones. Colin Kaepernick in the second round? You kiddin’ me? But if there’s one guy I’m worried about out of this draft class, it’s Eric Reid. I know safeties aren’t made in a day, or a year, and that it took Goldson years to hone (?) his craft. I remember the day Goldson was drafted he said, “Don’t worry about me, I can play.” I wish Eric Reid had a little more of that fire. Out of all our picks, Eric Reid worries me the most. Too polished. I want a guy with something to prove. I hope someone posterizes Reid and he’s thoroughly embarrassed so it hangs over him for years. Give me a Bo Jackson over Brian Bozworth moment where Reid is left crying in a corner. What I don’t want to see is a slow whittling away at his confidence as a cover safety like we once saw with Dana Hall. I really hope Reid gets in there and hammers a few guys weeks one and two. Don’t do it in the pre season. Do it against the Packers. Lay. Some. Dude. Out. Do it just to let the NFL know there’s a new sheriff in town and he’s just as mean and as bad as the old sheriff. Hit someone week one and Reid has a chance even if he gets burned a few times week one. But if Reid gets burned and he doesn’t lay a lick, watch out for bust city.